Western cyclone., 1887-06-02
a MAN WITH A HISTORY.
John d. DTorrissey's Rapid Ride to For
tune in the West.

John d. MOrrissey's Rapid Ride to For
tune in the West.
When the race horse Montana Regen'
was purchased for $4,000 year age
Eastern turfmen were anxious to know the
new owner of the colt 1t was generally
understood that ex-Gov. Pinchback OF
Louisiana was the purchaser. Turf-goers
In the East had settled down to that con-
Viction when it was announced that John
b. Morrissey had bought the colt. Then
everybody in the East wanted to know
something about Morrissey. Turfmen
hadn't heard of him before. While spccu
lation as to his identity was going around
Mr.. Morrissey purchased other race horses
and followed the matter up by On offer TO
race Montana Regent against Lucky Bald
wins great horse Nolante, the champion OF
the Pacific coast ami the equine pet OF
many Eastern turf -gocrs. 1t was Volante
that won the Champion stakes at Mon
mouth Park last Summer, and. bye the
bye he was named 10 win by Black and
Blue Lucky Baldwin won't allow any
body to deny the merits Of Volante, and
when Morrissey talked about Montana Re
gent Baldwin quickly offered to raceV olante
against him for $4,000. baldwin, in his
challenge, made no conditions offering to
arrange other particulars, only specifying
that the race should be run over the track
adding the greatest amount of money.
Morrissey, instead Of accepting this sweep
ing challenge Of the California millionaire
and ranchman, responding by offering to
race at Memphis during the latter part OF
this month. when he we'll knew Volante
would be in California. This angered
Baldwin and he offered to race Volante
against any horse in America at mile and
a half for any money. MorriSsey. instead
of declining or accepting this challenge,
responded by offering to race Montana
Regent at two and quarter miles against
Volante for $25, 900 a side, at or after the
Chicago meeting. Morrissey knowing full
well that this was not only an evasion of
Baldwin's manly challenge, but was redic-
nlouS also from the fact that VOlante would
be fulfilling engagements in the East when
Morrissey wanted him to race in the West
All turfmen agree that Morrissey wanted
TO bluff Baldwin, and that he failed after
the manner of Mr. j. B Haggin last year
Baldwin is o thorough sportsman. and
would run his horse on three legs after
giving his word for race
All this talk has led TO inquiry about
Morrissev. He has had lots of good fort
une and as he will he prominently before
the public, his life is worth writing about.
He is an Irisman under 30 years of age,
with a good deal of native tact and little
education. A few years ago he was glad
to get $4 day in Leadville mine. His
income nov is more than 81 900 Il week.
When he arrived in Leadvillc about eight
or nine years ago he could neither read
nor write. His illiteracy did not trouble
hn nli fIo
ladder 10 wealth and was forced by cir
cumstances 10 mingle with the brains, cul-
turc and capital Of the great carbonate
camp. Then he employed private tutor
and studied hard until he was able to sign
his name and read the signatures of Others
Morrissey's ascension TO atfluence was
rapid. He learned practical mining at
Georgetown, Col, and was working
as miner in the Crown Point
property at Leadville when it
was offered for sale by disgusted
stockholders. One Of these was Joseph
Reynolds, Of Chicago, who was known to
fame as Diamond Joe" and The Steam
boat King" MorrisSey whispered some
thing to him, and Reynolds said. $50
ahead, and you will receive one third of
all the ore you turn out" MOrrissey went
ahead, and after working hard SIX months
uncovered the richtsl body Of wire-silver-
bearing ore ever discovered in the State.
From that moment fortune smiled on him.
AS fast as he made money he invested it,
The Crown Point is still pouring out
wealth for him, and he receives share of
the output of the best mines at Aspen,
Red Cliff. Sowbelly Gulch, and other
points within 100 miles Of Leadville. He
has always been lover and promoter of
square sports When working miner he
was prominent in the wrestling and box,
ing matches held almost daily at Lead.
vile, and as his fortunes increased he rode
his hobby higher.